Energy balance, body composition and physical activity in eutrophic and obese preschool children

Abstract

Objective: To compare energy balence, body composition and physical activity among eutrophic and obeses 3-5 year old children attending day care centers. 

Method: Total energy expenditure (TEE), measured with doubly labelled water (DLW), energy intake (EI) by food weighing at the day care centre and recall at home, physical activity with TRITRAC motion sensor at the daycare center, were compared between 12 obese and 12 eutrophic. 

Results: In obese and eutrophic children, the TEE was higher in obese boys, p < 0.006. At the center, EI was higher in obese children, p < 0.0001. At home, during the week, EI was higher in obese boys, p < 0.0001, but during the weekend is higher in obese children of both sexes p < 0.0001. Physical activity was only higher in eutrophic boys in the intense to moderate activity range p < 0.02. 

Conclusions: Conditions at home induce a higher EI in obese children, daily physical activity at the center tends to sedentary. An intervention process to revert this situation should consider work with the family and educators.